Swarthmore
Swarthmore College · Swarthmore, Pennsylvania · Private
Swarthmore admitted 7.5% of 12,995 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1480–1550 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 94% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Swarthmore
Enter a score to see whether Swarthmore is a reach, target or likely school for you.
It admits 7.5% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 18% (228 of 1,281), compared with 7.5% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
What admissions weighs
How Swarthmore rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Character
Important
- –
Considered
- Test scores
- Interview
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religion
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Not considered
- Showing interest
What it costs
Full price with housing is $84,103 a year. After grants, students paid $17,930 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
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